Is Norton™ Online Backup a good backup system?

self | 12/9/2012 | self

[Grampa Dave]

Recently I had a problem with Comcast's cloud backup.

Then, I went to MyPC Backup Premium, and I started a year of their Premium program.

Everything appeared to go well until this past week. I couldn't back up my files, and the system wanted me to go into a new package.

Finally, after several days, I got a response re what to do, and it didn't work. I went on line and checked out their ratings. Once you got past the bs, there appeared to be a lot of people having similiar problems as I had.

I really don't want the hassle of using a stand by hard disk, nor do I want the hassle of dealing with a so called cloud system with a lot of problems.

So how does Norton™ Online Backup stack up. I don't have a lot stuff to store, and I want the backup stuff there when I need it after easy backup storage by me.

Thanks

[NewHampshireDuo]

I should have added - I just got a 2 TB portable external HD that’s a bit bigger than a pack of cigarettes. I use a regular external drive for my periodic backups but I plan to do monthly backups on the small form factor drive and keep it in the gun safe.

[ican'tbelieveit]

I have been using Cobian Backup and an external drive locally.

[Las Vegas Ron]

Bottom line: few people back up and then panic when their harddrive crashes.

LOL...truth!

Acronis is nice because it's an image of your entire drive. If you should have a failure you can duplicate it on another new drive in about an hour or so.

That includes the OS, all progarams and files....just like it never happened!

I'd swear by it, very inexpensive too: Acronis software- Google

[UB355]

That’s the advice I would have given. I back up system once a month onto a USB drive. Special Docs I’ll make a thumbwheel copy just in case. MY HD is 250GB the backup using Windows Back up takes about an hour.

[41Thunder]

For the cost of backup media, it doesn’t pay to use the cloud. Buy a decent desktop hard drive and use it to backup your media.

[roamer_1]

How long does a USB last? I have a USB loaded with some pictures that’s been sitting on the shelf next to my speaker for a couple of years.

That depends entirely on use and conditions... Hoefully the new SSD drives (no moving parts) will solve some of that uncertainty...

However... Duplication is the answer. You should always have your critical data backed up in AT LEAST TWO places... TWO devices... And the more the merrier. Even a well-kept DVD or CD has a shelf life.

That is one of the reasons why I like the NAS + USB scenario... It is unlikely that you would lose BOTH devices at the same time (providing the USB is off-line and unplugged) and if one fails, one doesn't lose data... And prompt replacement of the failed device assures continued data security.

I have a programmer friend, and outside of my local backup, I have access to his local server for backup purposes by way of FTP (and he has access to mine). Since he is in Illinois and I am in Montana, barring the apocalypse, we are very backed up not only locally, but afar too, and all within a tightly controlled environment (like cloud, but not cloud...)

[CriticalJ]

“Carbonite lost my business when they listened to a bunch of leftist non-customers and made a big production out of removing ads from Limbaugh because of the Fluke business.”

I understand.

However, if I boycotted everyone who supported leftists, I wouldn’t be able to leave my home. Hell, from what I understand, Walmart has jumped on the leftist bandwagon.

Anyway, there are other companies that may not have such leftist tendencies. Carbonite is just an option that works for me.

[CriticalJ]

“You can get ‘hardened; external drives that are fire and water proof. I think LaCie makes one.”

That’s an option for sure. Two things:

1. The expense is much greater. Just a brief search shows that a 3TB costs 400+.
2. Is anything really fire proof and or water proof?

[dragnet2]

Stay away from Norton...Bad for computers.

[upchuck]

How long does a USB last? I have a USB loaded with some pictures that’s been sitting on the shelf next to my speaker for a couple of years.

How are you defining USB?

If you mean a USB flash drive, the answer is virtually forever. Flash drives use silicon chips for storage and are not susceptible to magnetic interference.

If you mean a hard drive connected via USB, I wouldn't trust it more than five years. And hard drives are susceptible to magnetic interference like that coming from a loud speaker.

FWIW, I have seen flash drives go through the laundry (wash & dry) and still work.

[dragnet2]

You bet...Forget the hard drives, external or what ever. Waste of money.

Get the USB flash drive...You can put massive amount of stuff on them and they are small and really cheap...Put it in your pocket and take it with ya.

[upchuck]

1. I use the old DOS command Xcopy to copy my files to an external hard drive on a daily basis. Xcopy has some advantages:
- It can verify the copy, guaranteeing the copy and the original are identical.
- The copy it makes is native. You don’t need special software (like with Acronis, etc.) to interpret it.
- The commands can be put in a text file with a .bat (batch command) extension. Double click on the file and the commands run.

Xcopy has one big disadvantage: It will keep only the latest version of a file. If you need to keep several versions of a file, Xcopy is not for you.

2. I use these same commands to back up to another USB hard drive I keep in my vehicle. Instant offsite storage.

3. On a weekly basis, I use the free Todo backup program (http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/download.htm) to make an exact clone of my C: drive. When, not if, but when, that drive crashes I can replace it with the clone in a matter of minutes. Saves hours and hours of reinstalling the OS and reloading all the software, assuming you can find the installation file. The clone is also kept off site.

This is just an overview of backup procedures I use.

[deks]

Clicking on the Keyword “backup” (just above Reply #1) will bring up a list of previous FR articles on this topic.

[waynesa98]

Everything they told you about norton is old news, there were problems, but if you were knowledgeable about the internals of windows they were fixable, norton is fine. That said belt and suspenders is the way to go. Norton360 give you 5 or 25gb of online backup space(as well as the AV malware and system utilities. (you can buy more) A usb 1-2TB drive is a good investment. Take a look at your router, does it have a USB port in the back. The way to go is upgrade your router to a gigabit 802.11a/b/g/n with 1 or 2 usb ports, if your’s doesn't have it($100ish) Then let norton do the backup to both the online and usb disk. For other things you want to manually backup you can get microsoft’s hotmail/live now called outlook. It gives you 5gb of online space(free more purchasable). Then you can get another 5gb free from google. So put stuff you don't need often but want to keep on MS and google with a very good password, set a reminder to visit your email 1x/month to keep the account active. Make sure to write down your passwords. I don't know about google but MS’s skydrive lets you send a link to people to share the data, so its perfect for pic to share(guests can view, download but not change)

That should do for most everything you need.

[Jeff Chandler]

Note that it is always a good idea to periodically back up to a separate USB hard drive, connected only for that purpose, and disconnected (and unplugged) thereafter.

If your data is valuable then buy two USB hard drives and alternate them. Apply label stickers to them dating the backups. Store the newest copy in a friend's or relative's fireproof safe or a safe deposit box and swap them out on a schedule or when convenient. I used to store the latest copy in my BIL's gun safe. My SIL would come visit my FIL weekly and act as a courier. Simple, secure, inexpensive.

[Jeff Chandler]

ping

[Jeff Chandler]

That is one of the reasons why I like the NAS + USB scenario

With the NAS use the kind with dual hard drives and RAID 1. Combined with swapping USB drives stored off site and you're pretty much bullet prove.

[Jeff Chandler]

proof

[Mike Darancette]

IMHO: Backup should ALWAYS be off site.

[dhs12345]

Wow. That isn’t bad. I am running a RAID NAS network drive and have a usb drive for periodic backups.

I was able to afford it back when I was rich. :)

It is completely automated and sends me an email when the back up is done.

I remind everyone in the family to save all important files to the network drive.